§ MR. LAIRDsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether, as all the Chain Cables and Anchors manufactured in the Country are required, by the Act of 1864, to be tested to the Admiralty standard, the Board have terminated, or intend to terminate, the Contract between the Admiralty and Messrs. Brown, Lenox, and Co,, and to open-up to the competition of respectable makers the future supply of Chain Cables and Anchors for Her Majesty's Service?
LORD HENRY LENNOXsaid, in reply, that the contract with the Messrs. Brown, Lenox, and Co., with regard to cables, was only made in 1862, and the Admiralty had no intention to terminate it at this time. With respect to the contract for anchors, the usual notice would be given that it would not be renewed. As to the latter part of the hon. Member's Question, he had to reply that Her Majesty's service was so amply stored with anchors at this moment that he should be sorry to fetter the judgment of his successor on the subject of throwing open the future supply to competition.